Using Anchor Activities

1. Using Anchor Activities

2. One premise in a differentiated classroom: “ In this class we are never finished--- Learning is a process that never ends.”

3. The goal is to have students moving independently from one assignment to another without needing teacher direction.

4. RAPID ROBIN The “Dreaded Early Finisher”

5. “I’m Not Finished” Freddie “It takes him an hour-and-a-half to watch 60 Minutes.”

6. Anchor Activities • Anchor activitiesare ongoing assignments that students can work on independently throughout a unit of study or longer.

7. The Purpose of an Anchor Activity is to: Provide meaningful work for students when they finish an assignment or project, when they first enter the class or when they are “stumped”. Provide ongoing tasks that tie to the content and instruction. Free up the classroom teacher to work with other groups of students or individuals.

8. When are anchor activities used? • To begin the day • When students complete an assignment • When students are stuck and waiting for help • To extend a lesson or assignment

9. Using Anchor Activities to Create Groups 1 Teach the whole class to work independently and quietly on the anchor activity. 2 Flip-Flop Half the class works on anchor activity. Other half works on a different activity. 3 1/3 works with teacher---direct instruction. 1/3 works on anchor activity. 1/3 works on a different activity.

10. ANCHOR ACTIVITIES Work best: when expectations are clear and the tasks are taught and practiced prior to use. when students are held accountable for on task behavior and/or task completion.

11. “Must Have” Procedures • Procedures for: • “What to do if • you’re done.” • •Peer reviews your work • Complete any “unfinished” work • •Continue working on • an “Anchor Activity” Procedures for: “What to do if you need help.” •Ask three before me! •Find a Peer Helper •Put name on Help List •Keep working on a part that you CAN DO.

12. Planning for Anchor Activities Subject/Content Area: Name and description of anchor activity: How will activity be introduced to students? How will the activity be managed and monitored? - Points - Percentage of Final Grade - Rubric - Portfolio Check - Checklist - Teacher/Student Conference - Random Check - Peer Review - On Task Behaviors - Other _______________

13. How can I assess individual anchor activity work? • Ongoing anecdotal records and checklists • Student conferences for evaluation and goal setting • Learning journals • Student portfolios • Rubrics • Random checks • Peer review

14. ANCHOR ACTIVITIES Can be: used in any subject whole class assignments small group or individual assignments tiered to meet the needs of different readiness levels Interdisciplinary for use across content areas or teams

15. Some Anchor Activities • “Brain Busters” • Learning Packets • Activity Box • Learning/Interest Centers • Academic Vocabulary Work • Investigations • Magazine Articles with Generic Questions or Activities • Listening Stations • Research Questions or Projects • Commercial Kits and Materials • Journals or Learning Logs • Silent Reading (Content Related)

16. Anchor Activities • As a grade level list all the different Anchor Activities that you use in your classroom.

17. Feedback • Plus / Delta Feedback on Anchor Activities • Information will be used to drive discussions in PLCs.